canvas

A firm, closely woven fabric, usually made of
cotton, hemp, or linen, in plain weave, and
produced in various weights. Canvas has been used
as a covering material for books for centuries,
and was one of the principal fabrics used for
embroidered bindings. Its greatest use
historically, however, has been for rough job
bindings, certain varieties of chapbooks,
textbooks published between 1770 and about 1830 in
England, and some types of reference books. Today
its use is virtually limited to the covering of
very large books, newspapers, etc., and as a CHEMISE for
leather-bound county record books and other large
stationery bindings. See also: ART CANVAS ;DUCK .